About City Science

Why the City Science Initiative at the MIT Media Lab?

The City Science Initiative at the MIT Media Lab is a unique network of research groups experienced in the design of technology and infrastructure, the analysis of big data, and the development of rigorous scientific theories. The City Science Initiative at the MIT Media Lab provides an interdisciplinary nexus where these research networks join to improve the design, livability and understanding of high performance urban environments.

We are seeking strategic partners from industry and government to develop targeted research projects and living lab deployments around the themes of urban design, mobility-on-demand, energy, big data, responsive technologies, and integrated live-work environments.

Our mission is to develop urban strategies that can result in:

100x Reduction in CO2 emissions

10x Reduction in traffic congestion

5x Improvement in livability

2x Improvement in creativity

Urban Networks

Urban areas that evolved before the automobile often form networks of neighborhoods that are approximately one mile apart (a 20 minute walk). The 20 Arrondissements of Paris form a mesh network of compact neighborhoods (left), with an even distribution of cafes (right), pharmacies, shopes, and other amenities in each neighborhood (Changing Places, MIT Media Lab).